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Worker crushed in accident at work

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A joinery firm has been fined after one of its employees suffered multiple injuries when he was crushed by half a tonne of fibreboards.

The 50-year-old man, who does not wish to be named, was working for Specialist Joinery Projects Ltd at its premises in Essex when the incident took place on 26 September 2013.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed safety failings on behalf of the company.

Serious injuries

Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard how the worker suffered two collapsed lungs, a broken collar bone, five broken ribs and a gash to his head as a result of the incident in the joinery shop of the factory.

He was selecting fibreboards to be cut down to size. As he removed the fourth one, however, a suction effect caused a further 15 of the 30kg boards to topple over on top of him, knocking him over and pinning him to the concrete floor.

The man was hospitalised for two weeks and eventually returned to work at the firm on light duties in January 2014.

HSE inspectors found the boards were unsecured and not racked properly, while there was no safe process for using and handling boarding for employees to follow.

Specialist Joinery Projects Ltd of Bowlers Court, Honywood Road, Basildon, Essex, was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £598 in costs after pleading guilty to a single breach of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Claiming for an accident at work

You could be entitled to make a compensation claim if you’ve been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault.

How much money you receive will depend on a number of factors including the type and severity of the injury sustained.

Accident Advice Helpline can ensure you are paid the maximum possible work accident compensation. All you need to do is simply get in touch and fill out an accident at work claim form.

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